28 Free Knit Christmas Ornament Patterns

Update your tree with these free knit Christmas ornament patterns from Yarnspirations! Make food, animals, or sweaters in miniature sizes. You can do an entire tree around one theme, such as snowmen, or just mix your handmade ornaments into your larger tree theme.

Don’t miss the free crochet Christmas ornament patterns!

Food

Your ornaments will look good enough to eat by the time you’re done! Some can even double as play food the rest of the year.

• Jolly Pickle Ornament
• Cup of Cocoa Ornament
• Christmas Pudding Ornament
• Gingerbread House Crochet Ornaments

Animals

Use yarn to make loops instead of using sharp hooks, and you can take these ornaments down and use them as toys or other decorations!

• Dala Horse Ornament
• Polar Bear Ornaments
• Partridge and Pear Ornaments
• Georgie Giraffe Ornament
• Leon the Lion Ornament

Bonus: Watch my free video tutorial to learn how to make the polar bears!

Sweaters and Mittens

Mini sweaters and mittens add a touch of fun to your tree!

• Mitten Ornaments (yarn)
• Noel Sweater Ornaments
• Mitten Ornaments (thread)
• Best Guy Sweater Ornament
• Girlie Fashion Sweater Ornament
• Knit Mini Holiday Sweater Ornaments
• Little Mitten Knit Ornaments

Ornaments for All

Ornaments can come in any style! These don’t fit into the other themes, but there’s still sure to be some you’ll want to make.

• Felt Knit Tree Ornaments
• Classic Christmas Tree Ornament
• Holiday Heart Ornaments
• Felt Knit Circle Ornaments
• Yarn Basket Ornament
• Wreath Ornaments
• Knit Basket of Yarn Ornament
• Quiet Village Knit Ornaments
• Holiday Stars and Balls Ornaments
• Merry Fair Isle Knit Ornaments
• Snowmen Ornaments
• Santa Gnome Ornaments

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Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of Christmas ornaments can I knit?

So many beautiful options! Classic ball ornaments in colorwork designs (Fair Isle-inspired geometric patterns are stunning). Little knitted stars and snowflakes. Amigurumi-style knitted characters… Santa, elves, reindeer, polar bears. Miniature stockings. Knitted candy canes and other holiday shapes. Tree-shaped ornaments. Snowman figures. Colorwork motif ornaments featuring birds, trees, snowflakes… essentially any shape or motif that knits up at a small scale and can be hung on a tree.

What yarn is best for knitted ornaments?

Fingering or DK weight in a smooth yarn with good stitch definition gives you the finest looking ornaments that highlight colorwork and texture beautifully. Wool or wool blend feels right for holiday items and blocks well. White, cream, natural, and classic Christmas colors (red, green, gold) all look beautiful. Metallic or sparkly yarn used sparingly adds a festive quality. For quick ornaments that are more structural than detailed, worsted weight works fine and goes faster. The yarn should be whatever helps you achieve the look you want for your finished ornament.

How do I stuff a knitted ornament or keep it shaped properly?

Fiberfill is the standard stuffing for three-dimensional ornaments. Stuff firmly but not so tightly that it stretches the stitches open. For ornaments that should be rigid (like a ball shape that needs to stay round), a foam ball or plastic ball ornament insert can be covered with the knitted piece rather than stuffed with fiberfill. For flat ornaments like stars or snowflakes, light stuffing between two knitted pieces keeps them dimensional. Blocking before assembly can also help three-dimensional pieces maintain their intended shape.

How do I attach a hanger to a knitted ornament?

A loop of sturdy yarn, ribbon, or cord through the top of the ornament is the simplest approach. Use a tapestry needle to thread the loop through the stitches at the top and tie it securely. Satin ribbon gives a beautiful finished look. For heavier ornaments, use a thicker cord. Some patterns have a built-in hanging loop worked into the construction. If you’re making ornaments as gifts or for long-term display, make sure the hanger is very securely attached… ornaments take a lot of handling over many holiday seasons.

Are knitted Christmas ornaments a good project for using up yarn scraps?

They’re perfect for scraps! Ornaments are small and use very little yarn, so those leftover bits from socks, hats, and garments get a second life as heirloom Christmas decorations. For colorwork ornaments, you only need small amounts of each color. A collection of ornaments made from different yarn scraps over several years becomes a beloved family tradition… each ornament tells a story of what you made that year. Start building your holiday ornament collection and you’ll never look at yarn scraps the same way again.